Page 25 - CV Aug-Sep 2023 Issue

GROWTH BENEFITS BIG SOLAR biomass - to meet a goal of 500 GW of solar business to stay away.
BUSINESSES clean energy capacity by 2030, as it A senior official at the Solar Energy
looks to reduce its climate-heating Corporation of India Ltd, the
Rajesh Joshi was an early entrant into emissions by 45% from 2005 levels this implementing agency for India's National
the solar market, after spending two decade.Renewable energy minister R. K. Solar Mission, said MSMEs could enter
months in Spain researching the nuances Singh told parliament in March that solar joint ventures with bigger companies.
of the solar industry.The growth of his projects of nearly 52 GW were under
Rajkot-based company JJ PV Solar, implementation and about 40 GW more "Other than the finances, keeping up with
which sets up solar systems and were at the tendering stage. the technology changes is also crucial,"
manufactures panels, has been closely said the official, who requested
linked to India's evolving solar energy Joshi's federation has argued that most anonymity as he was not authorised to
policy. of its members will never be able to bid speak to the media. "There are issues
for those projects or have a chance to that need to be addressed but there is a
"Back in 2009, I had an inkling that share in the solar boom.During a recent push for MSMEs to grow in the sector,"
renewable energy would be big in the tender to set up more than 600,000 solar he added.Both Solanki and Joshi said
future and invested in it. I made losses pumps, the pool of bidders was less than small enterprises had been efficient and
for four years, frequented government 50, he noted, adding that this low level of completed projects on time, noting their
offices all the time and managed to interest is holding back implementation. essential role in driving industry growth.
survive," he said.His determination was
borne out, with solar now making up MSMEs want the tenders split into "But if we are not supported with easy
more than half of India's renewable smaller contracts, with more concessions access to working capital, we will not
energy capacity - and Joshi serves as for work in rural areas, making it survive," said Solanki, displaying his
chairman of the Federation of Solar economically viable for them to phone with dozens of messages from
Manufacturers and Intermediaries, participate."So far we have not been solar firms seeking labour. "And if we
representing 150 members. India is successful - we are just outbid," Joshi become sub-contractors for big
working to boost non fossil-fuel sources said, with many federation members companies, it will kill our entrepreneurial
of power - solar, wind, nuclear, hydro and advising people hoping to invest in the spirit," he added.

CONSTRUCTION VISION 23 AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2023